Three of a three part series.

OneUnited Bank announced its I Got Bank 4th Annual Essay Contest winners on September 2, 2015. The contest is designed to promote financial literacy for youth (ages 8 – 12).  We think you will agree… the winning essays not only share what they learned, but how they can use what they learned to help their friends and family.

Here is one of the three winning essays:

Quentin Thomas
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Middle Years Alternative School
Age: 11

Hi, my name is Quentin Thomas; I am an eleven year old student at Middle Years Alternative School in Philadelphia, PA.  I am going to write my Essay on what I learned from, I Got Bank! and what this book has taught me.

The main thing that I learned from this book was how to save money, while learning about the banking system, how to save money for very important things, and how not to spend money on things I don’t really need.

I always go to the bank with my parents, and I knew that they were cashing a check, but after reading this very interesting book, I now know about bank statements, bank accounts, and I am beginning to understand what a budget means to a family.

How can I use what I learned from the book I Got Bank, in my life?  I am going to save my allowance then ask my parents to open a savings account for me.  I will talk to my friends about money and saving because every little bit counts when you are saving money, and learning how to manage it just like Jazz and Marquis did in the book.  I can also teach my friends valuable lessons about saving, spending, and managing their money once I have my account and I begin to do it for myself.